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A pioneering Bronx-based hip-hop group with a socially conscious message, Boogie Down Productions (BDP) is the hip-hop vehicle of rapper Kris "KRS-One" Parker. Parker originally formed the group with DJ Scott LaRock who was gunned down in 1987 while trying to break up a street fight and help spark KRS-One's ambitious antiviolence crusade. But it was BDP's Productions' blend of hip-hop with reggae dancehall and rock influences that set the group apart from other message-oriented rappers, as well as KRS-One's dexterous verbosity and blunt beat sense.

Rising from the rugged streets and rich musical tapestry of Detroit, Slum Village were poised to carry on the old-school, funk, and soul-filled hip-hop torch of genre pioneers A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and the Pharcyde. Growing up in the Conant Garden neighborhood of Detroit and forming during high school at Detroit's Pershing High School, MCs Baatin, Jay Dee, and T3 quickly garnered praise and recognition in the local underground scene.

Based out of New York City, DJ Xpect is a former radio mixshow DJ on FM 89.9 KMOJ Minneapolis and has extensively toured DJ-ing Nationally and internationally. He has also done concert tours with various top artists most recent of which was K'naan tour DJ for Minneapolis leg in 2010. Other artists he has worked with and DJ'd for include The Ying Yang Twins, Reggae artists Warrior King, Mr Easy, Tanto Metro Devonte among several more top names.

DJ/music director at Go 96.3 FM. After more than half a decade away from Minnesota, Parker was eager to come back for the opportunity to shape Go 95.3. Parker has spent 20 years as a radio host, mixtape DJ, and interviewer. In addition to his time in the Twin Cities, his career has included on-air stints in Boston, Washington D.C., and Cleveland. He fell in love with hip-hop and radio at the same time during his childhood growing up in the Northeast.

Raised in a Buddhist household, immersing himself in Black history, world culture, and community work, Toki Wright’s awareness of the diverse world we live in is translated through his content driven music. He has taken paths that run the gamut from a non-profit youth organization in North Minneapolis to work with war-affected children in Northern Uganda. As an artist, Wright’s travels have taken him throughout the United States and Canada as support and hypeman for Brother Ali. Other performance credits include Soundset, Coachella, CMJ, Bumbershoot, Paid Dues, Scribble Jam, and SXSW.

Truthmaze is one of the originators and premier hip hop artists in Minnesota, beginning in 1983, as a vocal percussionist (beatboxer) known as B-Fresh. He was part of one of the first hip hop recordings from Minnesota to reach national presence as part of the I.R.M. Crew, and has been recording since 1986 with such groups as I.R.O.C., Brown Mark (of Prince and the Revolution), Mixed Breed and The Mighty Micronauts, whose infamous debut album was re-released on Rhymesayers Entertainment.

Da Black Pearll (Tinitha Warren) was born in Chicago, IL. She was raised in Minneapolis, MN since the age of four. She found her love for poetry in the 4th Grade and has been writing ever since. In 1993 Tinitha earned the NFTE (National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship) Award of Minnesota Sponsored by Koch Refinery Company, as the young owner of her own African American greeting card company Black Berry Graphics, Inc... She was given congressional recognition from Congressman Jim Ramstad and the late Senator Paul Wellstone for her accomplishments.